Underground, Street, Bike - The Most Unusual Escalators

For children, an escalator is a fun plaything, almost like an amusement ride. For adults, it's a useful mechanism that simplifies carrying loads and allows for a bit of laziness.

We are used to simple and even unassuming escalators in subways and shopping malls. But it turns out these vertical transport machines can have creative designs, and moving staircases can be found in completely unexpected places.

The first escalator, also known as a moving staircase, appeared in the late 19th century. Expensive lifting mechanisms have been in use in daily life since 1902.

Today, hundreds of thousands of escalators operate worldwide, including truly unique specimens. Bloggers gather information about unusual models, sharing their photos and excitement on the World Wide Web.

The world's longest escalator operates in Hong Kong.

This outdoor elevator's length spans a whopping 800 meters, allowing a 20-minute ride on the escalator. The escalator, consisting of 20 sections and 14 entrances/exits, transports passengers to a height of 135 meters.

Outdoor Escalator in Singapore

Another example of an outdoor escalator is the elegant lift in the Fort Canning Park in Singapore.

The smallest and most useless escalator was installed by the Japanese.

In Kawasaki, anyone interested can ride a five-step lift, which elevates you a mere 83 centimeters.

Grandfather Escalator in New York

This wooden structure is the oldest lift still in operation. Installed in 1902 at the world-famous Macy's Herald Square department store in New York City.

In 1993, Norway introduced a bicycle escalator on Brubakken Hill.

With this, thousands of cyclists effortlessly traverse the 130-meter height. Impressively, in its 19 years of existence, not a single accident has occurred. In 2012, the bike lift was replaced with a modern bike escalator, capable of serving 360 cyclists per hour.

An underwater escalator was installed for tourists in a vast ocean park in Taiwan.

Visitors can ride the escalator throughout the entire aquarium for convenience.

The "social" escalator in Colombia

Located in the hilly city of Medellin, Colombia, this giant machine, at 40 meters long, significantly simplifies the lives of locals who have to climb a hill equivalent to a 28-story building daily. Now, over 12 thousand locals can easily ascend the hill on the escalator in about 6 minutes instead of climbing hundreds of steps.

An uniquely designed escalator operates in the "European" shopping complex in Moscow.

This mechanism features an original crisscrossing design, saving space in the pavilion.

Moscow also houses Europe's longest escalator.

This 126-meter escalator at the "Park Pobedy" metro station consists of 740 steps, lifting passengers from the metro's depth of 84 meters in 3 minutes.

Spiral escalator in Japan

Not only are there crisscrossing escalators, but also spiral ones. One such unique design operates in Osaka, Japan.